Mini Countryman Clutch Fail

Terrytori · 10-06-2012, 05:23 AM

Despite my best efforts, I've mangerd to cook the clutch on my 2012, Mini Countryman All 4, Cooper S.

This puts me in the same good company as the road testers @ Automobile Magazine and dozens, if not hundreds
of other disgruntled owners.

When I went to the dealer yesterday to explain the issue and book an appointment, the service
tech, admitted to never having heard of issues concerning clutch issues on this model.

This astounded me has it has been written about in a number of enthusiast magazines and
on Mini Forums.

I had barely arrived home from the dealership when I receivd a call from the Service manager,
advising me that they have already placed an order for a new clutch ( $2500.00 ) and will have it
Installed immediately upon arrival. At this point, they had not even seen my car.

The reviewers at Automobile Magazine , did a follow up story and found the fix to make a huge difference
in the driving experience.

Apart from this issue and the sometimes harsh ride provided by the run flat tires , I like this car and the practicality it provides.

So much so, that if the clutch issue is indeed fixed, I would consider the newly available John Cooper Works
Version, as future replacement.

A-Bone · 10-06-2012, 06:51 AM

It was covered under warranty, right?

Terrytori · 10-06-2012, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Bone

It was covered under warranty, right?

It is.

clevishook · 10-06-2012, 06:57 AM

We appreciate your correspondence and we are confident that you will be satisfied with the repair to your Countryman.
However, despite your positive review of your Countryman and Mini, we are not giving discounts on the John Cooper Works models. Nice try though.

Sincerely,

Mini USA

jdiaz · 10-06-2012, 07:07 AM

Someone on another list I'm on had a clutch issue on a non-turbo Mini out of warranty. I suggested they not approve anything at the dealer until calling the BMW 800-number and trying to get some goodwill.

Sure enough, BMW said the parts would be free, and the owner only had to pay for labor. On a car out of warranty. No raising of voices required.

And I thought just the Mini automatic was unreliable.

cogitate · 11-11-2012, 09:21 AM

curious, how did this end up?

Terrytori · 11-13-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cogitate

curious, how did this end up?

I was taken out of town for a few days and returned
to have the work fully completed.

The tech manager said that they also added a new Fly Wheel and that examination of the OEM part
suggested a defect at the time of manufacture.

The car is ... for all intents and purposes... a new driving experience.

It performs the way it should have been when it left the factory, originally.

The clutch pedal feel is dramatically lighter with engagement coming on smoothly towards the end of it's travel.

There is no serious slipping required and no feeling that the car will stall.

In short, it drives the way any other Cooper S does, albeit not so quickly due to it's chubbiness.

This was all covered under warranty.

JNRobert · 11-13-2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrytori

The car is ... for all intents and purposes... a new driving experience.

IIRC, you've owned a regular Mini too. Now they're offering the Countryman with a JCW package, which would you recommend (regular vs Countryman)

Terrytori · 11-14-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNRobert

IIRC, you've owned a regular Mini too. Now they're offering the Countryman with a JCW package, which would you recommend (regular vs Countryman)

I did.

I bought a Mini Cooper S and then retro fitted a JCW kit which, at the time, kicked the car
from 167 hp to 201 hp.... a truly satisfying gain.

In the latest iteration S, the gain will not be that great but still worth having the additional 20+ ponies,
working for you.

I got the Countryman as a second, practical family car to pull kid hauling duties when the Sienna was out with my
honey and the dogs.

We're it not for the need to get kids in and out , I'd be all over a standard JCW package.

JNRobert · 11-14-2012, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrytori

I did.

I bought a Mini Cooper S and then retro fitted a JCW kit which, at the time, kicked the car
from 167 hp to 201 hp.... a truly satisfying gain.

In the latest iteration S, the gain will not be that great but still worth having the additional 20+ ponies,
working for you.

I got the Countryman as a second, practical family car to pull kid hauling duties when the Sienna was out with my
honey and the dogs.

We're it not for the need to get kids in and out , I'd be all over a standard JCW package.

good to know, thanks.

chazbird · 11-11-2012, 01:39 PM

Is the clutch $2500 without installation?

Speedo66 · 11-13-2012, 04:50 PM

I had a Mini Countryman and had no clutch issues. I don't know what kind of ham fisted driving style you use, but it sounds like you've abused that car.

Again, I had zero issues with mine. It was my first car and I really liked it.

By the way, mine was a 1963 model.

Bender · 11-13-2012, 06:31 PM

2500 bucks for a clutch in a car that goes from zero to 60 in over 6 seconds??????

Bueller · 11-15-2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bender

2500 bucks for a clutch in a car that goes from zero to 60 in over 6 seconds??????

That's the only production car clutch I've seen that costs more than the piece of shit clutch in my Shelby. That's why God invented the aftermarket.

Tripl Nikl · 11-16-2012, 08:56 PM

^^^
I saw one of those in Wales, truly a neat little car. And small!

As for the clutch... Wow, those BMW guys sure know their customers! No wonder I drive a Subaru.

FWIW, there's no way in hell I'd spend $2500 for a clutch at the stealership. I'd push it out of the dealer and get an aftermarket one put in. Depending on the cost of that, I'd consider selling it and try to figure out if it was better to sell it needing repair or to fix it, then sell it. $2500 is a crazy price for a clutch!

10-06-2012, 05:23 AM	#1
Terrytori ^OP Namaste Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Halifax Nova Scotia Oddometer: 1,739	Mini Countryman Clutch Fail Despite my best efforts, I've mangerd to cook the clutch on my 2012, Mini Countryman All 4, Cooper S. This puts me in the same good company as the road testers @ Automobile Magazine and dozens, if not hundreds of other disgruntled owners. When I went to the dealer yesterday to explain the issue and book an appointment, the service tech, admitted to never having heard of issues concerning clutch issues on this model. This astounded me has it has been written about in a number of enthusiast magazines and on Mini Forums. I had barely arrived home from the dealership when I receivd a call from the Service manager, advising me that they have already placed an order for a new clutch ( $2500.00 ) and will have it Installed immediately upon arrival. At this point, they had not even seen my car. The reviewers at Automobile Magazine , did a follow up story and found the fix to make a huge difference in the driving experience. Apart from this issue and the sometimes harsh ride provided by the run flat tires , I like this car and the practicality it provides. So much so, that if the clutch issue is indeed fixed, I would consider the newly available John Cooper Works Version, as future replacement. __________________ 2013 Ninja 300 ABS, '11 883 Iron ( kicked to 1200), '08 Vespa 250 GTV http://www.secordgallery.com/gallery...2_itemId=35642

11-11-2012, 09:21 AM	#6
cogitate bench adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: North of the Border, CA Oddometer: 3,534	curious, how did this end up? __________________ 91 Hawk GT

11-13-2012, 04:50 PM	#12
Speedo66 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Now Fairfield Co, CT Oddometer: 4,596	I had a Mini Countryman and had no clutch issues. I don't know what kind of ham fisted driving style you use, but it sounds like you've abused that car. Again, I had zero issues with mine. It was my first car and I really liked it. By the way, mine was a 1963 model. __________________ '01 Kawasaki W650 '05 Yamaha XT225

11-13-2012, 06:31 PM	#13
Bender I can pass this guy. Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Cypress, Texas. Oddometer: 27,143	2500 bucks for a clutch in a car that goes from zero to 60 in over 6 seconds?????? __________________ Bender™ Searching for the lost Xanadu. The generation that would change the world is still looking for the car keys.

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10-06-2012, 06:51 AM	#2
A-Bone Indubitably Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Cow Hampsha, (NH, USA) Oddometer: 11,623	It was covered under warranty, right?

10-06-2012, 06:57 AM	#4
clevishook stevedore Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Oddometer: 1,268	We appreciate your correspondence and we are confident that you will be satisfied with the repair to your Countryman. However, despite your positive review of your Countryman and Mini, we are not giving discounts on the John Cooper Works models. Nice try though. Sincerely, Mini USA

10-06-2012, 07:07 AM	#5
jdiaz . Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Elburn, IL Oddometer: 31,109	Someone on another list I'm on had a clutch issue on a non-turbo Mini out of warranty. I suggested they not approve anything at the dealer until calling the BMW 800-number and trying to get some goodwill. Sure enough, BMW said the parts would be free, and the owner only had to pay for labor. On a car out of warranty. No raising of voices required. And I thought just the Mini automatic was unreliable.

11-11-2012, 01:39 PM	#11
chazbird Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Oddometer: 2,055	Is the clutch $2500 without installation?

11-16-2012, 08:56 PM	#15
Tripl Nikl Studly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2012 Location: Western Washington Oddometer: 808	^^^ I saw one of those in Wales, truly a neat little car. And small! As for the clutch... Wow, those BMW guys sure know their customers! No wonder I drive a Subaru. FWIW, there's no way in hell I'd spend $2500 for a clutch at the stealership. I'd push it out of the dealer and get an aftermarket one put in. Depending on the cost of that, I'd consider selling it and try to figure out if it was better to sell it needing repair or to fix it, then sell it. $2500 is a crazy price for a clutch!